HIV-Positive Persons Plead with Trump to Lift Aid Suspension
Ugandans living with HIV/AIDS have urged U.S. President Donald Trump to reverse his order suspending aid to African countries, warning that the decision could have catastrophic effects on the country’s HIV response.
During a press conference at the Uganda Network on Law, Ethics, and HIV/AIDS (UGANET) offices in Ntinda, over 50 representatives from HIV/AIDS organisations signed a petition calling for an immediate reversal of the aid suspension.
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They expressed fears that without U.S. support, the 1.4 million Ugandans on HIV treatment could face severe drug shortages, leading to increased cases of mother-to-child transmission and preventable deaths.
Uganda remains one of the 20 African countries with the highest HIV burden, with many patients depending on international support for antiretroviral therapy and counseling services.
Flavia Kyomukama, head of the National Forum of People Living with HIV (NAFOPAHANU), stressed the urgency of establishing a local funding mechanism to cushion against international aid disruptions.
“We have repeatedly called on the government to create an HIV trust fund, but our pleas have gone unanswered. If parliament does not allocate additional funds in the next fiscal year budget to purchase medicines, we cannot stop people from voicing their frustrations in the next elections,” Kyomukama stated.
While some reports suggested that Trump was reconsidering his decision, no official confirmation had been made by the time of the press conference, leaving HIV-positive Ugandans anxious about their future.
